England Made a Win Worth Three Points in 1981. The Goal Rate Barely Moved.
England enlarged the reward for winning in 1981, but modern studies show why more decisive matches did not necessarily mean more goals.
Tactical Revolutions
Carlos Bilardo Built a Three-Defender Shell Around Maradona in 1986
How Argentina’s 1986 shape distributed defensive work, width and deep running so Diego Maradona could play with unusual freedom.
John Brodie Put a Net Behind Football’s Arguments in 1891
A disputed shot exposed football’s missing evidence. John Brodie’s net moved from Liverpool trials to Football League grounds in two years.
Match of the Day Started With 20,000 Viewers and a Secret Fixture
A concealed Anfield fixture, 20,000 viewers and the videotape bargain that gave Saturday football a second life.
Keith Peacock Waited Eleven Minutes to Become the Football League’s First Substitute
A disappointed 20-year-old reserve, an injured goalkeeper and the eleven minutes that opened football’s touchline to a new kind of decision.
Harry Catterick Chose Mike Trebilcock on Friday. He Scored Twice at Wembley on Saturday
How Fred Pickering’s injured knee forced Harry Catterick’s selection decision before Mike Trebilcock erased Everton’s two-goal deficit in five minutes at Wembley.
The Penalty Kick Entered Football’s Laws at Twelve Yards in 1891
How William McCrum’s proposal and an exposed flaw near goal persuaded football’s rule-makers to create a new punishment in 1891.
Johnny Summers Scored Five as Ten-Man Charlton Won 7–6
How an early injury, a muddy pitch and Johnny Summers’s move into the centre produced six Charlton goals after Huddersfield led 5–1.
Karl Rappan Put a Fourth Defender Behind Switzerland’s Three
How Karl Rappan’s Swiss bolt used a spare covering defender, collective retreat and counterattacks to overturn a two-goal deficit against Germany in 1938.
England Led 2–0 in León. West Germany Scored the Next Three
How England built a two-goal lead through one flank before West Germany’s changes, three unusual finishes and five changing score states reversed the 1970 World Cup quarter-final.